Palestinian Carrying Explosives Arrested Trying to Board Jerusalem Light Rail

A Palestinian man in his 20s was arrested on Sunday morning at a light rail station in central Jerusalem carrying explosive devices.

Police said that at approximately 9 A.M, a resident of the West Bank town of Beit Ula, north west of Hebron, had been questioned by guards who said he raised suspicions as he tried to board the light rail in Jerusalem. During the questioning, the man told the guards that he was carrying explosives.

Large police forces arrived at the scene and a police bomb squad found three pipe bombs in his bag. King George and Jaffa Streets were closed to traffic and the light rail was stopped along the same line for some time before resuming service.

Jerusalem Police District commander Yoram Halevi said that a "large attack" had been prevented.

"The plan was seemingly to attack the light rail," said Halevi. "Knives were also found in his bag, so it seems that the terrorist planned a mixed attack of explosions and stabbings."

At large attack was prevented this morning thanks to the vigilance of Jerusalem's light rail guards," said Jerusalem Mayor Nir Barkat. "Our message to the public is to continue as normal, be alert and never give in to terror. We must hunt down terrorists everywhere without compromise and without restraint."